Sex Addiction and You

With the recent news that X-Files star David Duchovny checked into rehab for sex addiction, a friend and loyal reader posed the following question in a conversation.

What exactly makes someone a sex addict?

This question piqued my interest. So, what's the difference between the 97% of the population that really seems to enjoy sex and people that need a stint in rehabilatation?

Well, I decided to look at a sex addiction survey, found here. I selected some of my answers, duplicated here.

3. Do you ever find yourself preoccupied with sexual thoughts?
Yes, since I was eight.

9. Are any of your sexual activities against the law?
Does God's law count?

11. Do you hide some of your sexual behaviors from others?
Yes, but when I watch TV with my hand in my pants, it's common courtesy to shut the blinds.

12. Have you attempted to stop some parts of your sexual activity?
Yes, but to do this I say the alphabet backwards or try to remember the starting lineup from the 1983 Mariners. It usually works for a couple minutes, so I guess it's more of a delay tactic.

22. Has the Internet created sexual problems for you?
No, the fact that two clicks away from here, I could see billions of pornographic images is, generally speaking, a positive experience for me and society.

25. Have you used the Internet to make romantic or erotic connections with people online?
No, but (see below post) that's because I haven't figured the correct angle for my junk photo.

28. Have you subscribed to or regularly purchased or rented sexually explicit materials (magazines, videos, books or online pornography)?
No, but I like most how this question asks about pornographic books, like that's still something people would look at today. Let's see, I could watch sexually explicit images of attractive people on my computer or read a 400-page novel about glistening members and caressing genitals. I'm not in it for character development or metaphors for man's heroic journey through life.

36. Have you traded sex for money or gifts?
Yes.

38. After sexually acting out, do you sometimes refrain from all sex for a significant period?
Yes, I am refraining from sex for a significant period because I'm a sex addict. That's the reason.

41. Have you engaged in unsafe or 'risky' sex even though you knew it could cause you harm?
Jesus, did you GO to college?